KIEV – Nadia Savchenko, the Ukrainian military pilot held prisoner by Moscow for two years, looks likely to remain the same firebrand as she was in captivity, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a “louse” and “scum” on her return home this week.

But perhaps it is Ukraine’s political establishment who should be worried: Savchenko said she could ultimately campaign to replace the current president, Petro Poroshenko. The 35-year-old helicopter pilot indicated her political plans were still very much in their infancy, and a great deal depended on what the Ukrainian people wanted her to do.

The possibility of a Savchenko candidacy – however distant it may be – nevertheless should give Ukraine’s leaders serious pause for thought. At the moment, her position in Ukrainian society verges on sainthood, and she stands in stark contrast to what many Ukrainians believe is a thoroughly corrupted political elite.

“Let’s put it this way: Ukrainians, if you need me to be the president, okay, I will be president,” she said at her first official press conference Friday. “Honestly, I cannot say that I want this – I love to fly. But, if necessary, I will do everything and I will take this path and work hard.”

“When I’m ready and able, and believe in this, and feel it, and people say it’s necessary, then I’ll run,” she added.

‘Our Nadia’

Right now, she is merely a novice member of parliament: Savchenko was elected in absentia to the country’s legislature as part of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s Fatherland party.

But for a large number of Ukrainians, “our Nadia,” as she is known, is more than a politician or war hero: She is a symbol – of the country’s resilience, defiance and victimization. Her ordeal at Russian hands is viewed as an allegory for what many Ukrainians consider the injustices the country as a whole has had to suffer.

Pro-Moscow rebel forces captured her two years ago in eastern Ukraine and apparently secreted her across the Russian border. Moscow officials then accused her of entering Russia on her own and charged her with being responsible for the deaths of two Russian journalists. Western officials and human rights groups said she was subjected to a show trial, and was convicted to 22 years in prison.

During her trial, she sang the Ukrainian national anthem and read out an impassioned speech condemning Putin and his government. She staged repeated hunger strikes, refused to ask for clemency and showed the judge and presiding officials the finger.

Barefoot warrior

Short-haired and for some reason shoeless, the woman feted as Ukraine’s “Joan of Arc” strode from the airplane that brought her back to Kiev Thursday and gave an emotion — and politically savvy — statement at the airport.

“I want to apologize to all mothers whose children did not return from [the front], and I’m still alive,” she said. “I want to ask forgiveness for all mothers whose children sit in bondage, and I am free.”

She has returned to a Ukraine where discontent with the ruling establishment, and Poroshenko in particular, is rising.

Top officials have left the government, complaining of persistent corruption and resistance to reform. Poroshenko himself has been considerably weakened by revelations in the Panama Papers that he set up off-shore shell companies, though officials have not charged him with any violation of Ukrainian law.

What’s more, Poroshenko’s appointment of a close ally, Yury Lutsenko, to the post of general prosecutor was interpreted by some as an attempt to thwart major legal reforms, or investigations into the dealings of the president’s inner.

Political unknown

Savchenko’s first day as a deputy will be next Tuesday, and it remains to be seen what sort of political profile she will cultivate. Already it’s been announced that she will sit on parliament’s National Security and Defense Committee.

Her core politics, however, are unknown. When she was captured, Savchenko was fighting with the volunteer Aidar Battalion, a nationalist group that has been accused of human rights abuses in eastern Ukraine.

But in her first public appearances, she has struck a tone that fell short of some of the more strident nationalist positions. While the Minsk peace agreements — which the far right criticizes for having given too much away to Moscow — are “less than effective,” she said that without them things would have been “much worse”.

“They had one goal — to put out the flame of war that was burning painfully for everyone,” she said.

But she also showed uncompromising flashes: “Peace is only possible through war,” she said during a meeting with Poroshenko.

Ultimately, the question is whether Savchenko will turn her bluntness on Poroshenko, or the leader of her own party, Yulia Tymoshenko — who is equally well known for speaking her mind.

The two women shared an awkward moment at the airport on Savchenko’s return, when Savchenko rebuffed Tymoshenko’s attempt to hug her and give her a bouquet of flowers. Instead, they shared a polite and seemingly strained handshake.

Afterwards, however, the two held an extended meeting, and at her press conference, Savchenko said she intended to work as a loyal member of Tymoshenko’s parliamentary faction.

Whatever political path she chooses, Ukrainians will be watching closely.

Related stories on these topics:

Ben

“calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a “louse” and “scum” on her return home this week”

“hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”

Anyway, double popcorn is on order.

Posted on 5/27/16 | 10:31 PM CET

glasspix 1

She is the Jean D’Arc of the Ukrainian struggle against Russian agression. Alas, we know how that story ended.

Posted on 5/27/16 | 10:54 PM CET

JustPassingThrough

What a marvelous idea! And after her success as leader of UE she can go on to lead the EU. Unless, of course she takes her sainthood seriously and decides to lead the UE Orthodox church. What a brilliant future s/he has to look forward to. We will have to follow her shooting star career closely. Porky is probably shaking in his shoes. LOL

Posted on 5/28/16 | 11:49 AM CET

Harry Pavli

A woman of sorts. Fighting with the Azor Betalion, a neo Nazi group that perpetrated human rights abuses in Dombas,shooting people dead while seating in cafes on live television and torturing prisoners of war, is now a hero of Ukraine. The Russians may be bad but she is worst and her foul language may convince voters to make her president. Glory to Ukraine will become a face!!

Posted on 5/29/16 | 3:49 PM CET

Harry Pavli

What happened to my post. For the person that has removed it Azon Betallion, Neo-Nazis, Glory to Ukraine means something else. You lost me as your reader.

Posted on 5/29/16 | 6:23 PM CET

Harry Pavli

Thank you for putting it back

Posted on 5/29/16 | 6:26 PM CET

Alex

Poroshenko must be thinking: “shall we ask the Russians if we can exchange her back”?

Posted on 5/29/16 | 9:13 PM CET

Felix Brown

A young woman with the military background may occupy the presidential chair in volatile Ukraine. Why not? Nadia Savchenko is a woman of some male type, very brave and open minded ….. though with close links to Ukrainian nationalistic radical elements. The last thing is worrisome imo, for it may well contribute to Nadia’s transformation from “Joan of Arc” to Ukrainian Hitler.
I think this whole situation is just part of the grandiose Ukrainian mess still unfolding before our eyes.
Paradoxically, Ukraine does everything not to enter the EU civilization.

Posted on 6/1/16 | 3:20 PM CET

Arno

Such a psychopathic woman like Nadia Savchenko fits rather well the present political landscape of Ukraine. There’s full mess there and a gathering of mentally insane people at the wheel who had been suggested by Washington…. you know ….

Amusingly, there is also somewhat irrelevant dame simultaneously rushing into presidential chair in the USA…. using hell of dirty tricks to reach the goal and all that. I mean Hillary Clinton. She and Nadia Savchenko, they are birds of a feather….you know. Though of course the last one is far worse educated….

Posted on 6/10/16 | 12:40 PM CET

Maurice

Shaylene was such a lovely girl and she was so young and full of life judging from what her mom writes. Sure thing, it couldn’t be a suicide. Something awful happened in that prison and nobody has been made responsible.
I bet you there was actually no in-depth probe into this death. Sadly enough, it has become the habitual practice with the officials to treat Afros or Latinos involved in similar tragic cases as some second brand. What shall we do to help Shaylene’s son and her mom too?